School fun and Joy School for A&C

The other day, M&J came home and informed me it was the 100th day of school.  I thought, "wow, seriously?!"  How can we already be that far into the school year???

It has been nothing but nuts around since it started...maybe that is why I hadn't noticed it flying by so fast.  

They also told me it was also Red Ribbon week, which used to be a Drug Awareness program, but is now a Anti-Bullying campaign.  Both are great causes, and both have the same fun themed days.  I remember this as a kid and I love seeing my littles enjoying it as well - along with learning some great principles.

Here they are a few years ago on Crazy Hair day:

 Here they are this year dressed in digs from decades past:

I even sported a sweet new-do of my own:

Although this one I think I will have to do more. :)  LOVED it!

As I was reflecting on these fun school things I realized I never even posted the pictures from kids first day of school this year.  Woops. :)

So here they are, all gussied up and ready for the first day of school and showing what grade they are in.

Trev takes them on First Day of School breakfast dates to Kneaders and then brings them back home so they can walk with their crew.  Until we went and switched them to Early Birds after couple weeks and now they walk alone.  Sad?

Man I adore these neighbor kids!

Here is Abby trying to charm Trev into taking her to breakfast too.  She gets her way with him a lot so I was a bit surprised she didn't this time.

As for Abby and Claire, I decided to do their preschool myself this year.  I was nervous but I am so glad I did.  We are doing more of a Joy School (www.valuesparenting.com) than preschool, but I am also trying to get them Kindergarten ready...which starts in August.  Holy Smokes!

We have had plenty of adventures together.  Such precious time with them.

What a great school year it has been already for these guys.

Lucky kids. :)

Joy School

Over the holidays, I got to thinking...wow, my little girls probably watch more tv than they should lately. :)  

So I recommitted myself to do something that I had planned on doing at the beginning of the school year with them.  Start Joy School!

What is Joy School?  Well, the real version is found here:  www.valuesparenting.org

My version is much simpler.  The premise is that you teach your children where and how to find joy in life before they start worrying about ABC's and 123's.  Or at least at the same time.  So that they have felt those joys, which builds them up, and then head off to school to learn more of the academics.  

I loved this concept!  So I looked up the 15 different "Joys" and each week on Wednesday and Friday mornings, the girls and I discuss them.  Which is followed by an activity of some sort to reinforce the principle.

We are on Week 2 - and the Joy we have been learning about is the Joy of our Bodies!  We have discussed that God created our amazing bodies.  What the 5 senses are and how they help us experience the world.  How to care for our bodies.  Etc.

It has been so fun!  It is easy, and so effective.  My girls are learning to understand and appreciate their bodies, while at the same time spending quality time with me. :)  I am loving being their "teacher".  Isn't that what a real mother's role is anyway??  I love those moments where you really feel like you are magnifying that calling.  One of life's truest joys.

Here they are "decorating" their special bodies. ;)

Another day we went to the swimming pool to talk about how the joy that comes from exercising our bodies.  We were there about 20 minutes before they decided that it was too cold too swim. :)  

Not all the stuff we do are home runs but our batting average so far on Joy School is pretty high. ;)

High enough in fact, that Morgan and Jake want me to do Joy School with them on their days off from school!  I might just have to do that.  It is really quite fun. :)

I sure love this mothering job.  It can be hard but it truly is a joy.

On to the Joy of the Earth!